Electroplating machine



Nov. 11 1924. 1,514,793

H. J. RICHARDS ELECTROPLATING MACHINE Filed May 26, 1924 2 Shee1s-$heet1 Nam 11 3924.

.J. RICHARDE ELEQTROPLATING MACHINE 1924 2 Sheets-SiwWl 2 7? Illl llllllllll l lllfl &"

Filed May 26 ,llfilll l lllllllll L lllhl lll l llll li H inll lllllllll.I'llllnllllllllllllllll Patented Nov. 11, 1924.

UNITED STAT PATENT OFFICE.

- EEDLEY .1. RICHARDS, or ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, AssIeNon To LASALCO, InOF s'r.

LOUIS, MISSOURI, A conronarron or MISSOURI.

Applicatlon'filed May 26, 1924. Serial No. 715,856.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat I, HEDLEY J. RICHARDS, a citizen of the United States,residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a new and usefulElectroplating Machine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an electroplating machine, and has-specialreference to a ma-v chine in which the work being plated is convtinuously moved through the solution.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved electroplatingmachine of the motion type in which an inner group of anodes iscontinuously rotated in one direction, while the cathodes (the workbeing plated) are continuously rotated in the op-.

posite direction between the moving anodes and an outer series of washeranodes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the charactermentioned embodying novel means for supplying electrical energy to theanodes and the cathodes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine embodying novelmeans for imparting rotary movements in opposite directions to a seriesof anodes and to the cathodes.

Other objects will appear from the following description, referencebeing made to the drawings in whichchine.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the operating mechanism, the tank and thecarriers for the anodes and the cathodes being shown in section.-

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectionalview of the mechanism for moving thecathodes and the inner series of anodes in opposite directions.

Fig. 4 is'an enlarged view showing one of the brushes contacting withthe cathode carrier forming a part of the electric circuit thereto.

Fig. 5 a detailvi'ew of a part of the support for the brush forminga.part of the circuit to the inner series of anodes.

The tank 1 containing the electrolytic solution has a non-metalliccomposition lining 2.

A pair of cross ties .3 are supported above the tank. An electric motor4 mounted on a plate 5 of insulating material is supported near one endof the cross ties 3 and drives a shaft 6 having a worm thereon (Fig.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of my improved mameshes with a bevel gear 11attached .to a

hollow shaft 12 rotative'in bearings 13 supported by the cross ties 3.The gearwheel 11 which is attached to the shaft 12 operates upon ananti-friction thrust bearingLP and thereby supports the shaft 12. Theupper side of. the pinion 1O diametrically opposite from its engagementwith the gear wheel I 11 engages a beveled. gear 14: attached to a shaft15 through the medium of an-insulation bushing 16. and a set screw 17.The

shaft 15 extends axially through the hollow shaft 12 and is insulatedtherefrom by an insulation element 18 and aninsulation bushing 19 (Fig.3). The element 18 is a combined washer and-bushing, the washer portionthereof being upon an anti-friction thrust bearing 20 resting upon thegear wheel 11. Thus the shafts 12 and 15 are simultaneously rotated inopposite directions by the pinion 10.

The hollow shaft 12 supports at its lower end a cathode ring 21 fromwhich the oathodes 22 (the work being plated) are suspended in the ta-nk1 and within the electrolytic solution therein.

The cathode ring 21 is insulated from the shaft 12 by an insulationbushing 23 and is insulated from the supportingnut 24 by an insulationwasher 25.

The anode ring 26 for the movable inner series of anodes 27 is attachedto the lower end of the shaft 15. The shaft 15 is capable of withdrawalfrom the shaft 12 when the anode ring 26 are simultaneously rotated inopposite directions.

The outer series of anodes 29 are suspended from an anode, ring30-removably be seen that the cathode ring 21 and the supported bybrackets 31 attached to the upper end of the tank 1. 7 The circuit forsupplying electrical energy to the inner movable series of cathodes 27and. to the outer stationary series of cathodes 29 includes a wire 32connected with a metallic element 33 secured to insulation supports 34attached to the cross ties 3. A

sion because of its inner end bearingagainst' the arm 36 and its outerend against'an abutment 42 on the pin 40. A spring 43 connecting thestationary arm 36 with the pivoted arm 37 actuates the latter downwardlyto press the brush 39 upon the upper end of the shaft 15. A wire 44connects the arm 36 with the brush 39. Thus both cathode groups areenergized by electrical energy delivered thereto through the wire 32, l

A pair of brushes 4o'on the lower ends of rods 46 operate upon asupporting part 47 in connection with the cathode ring 21. The

rods 46 are supported in insulation'bushings 48 in brackets 49. Belowthe brackets 49 each of the rods 46 is encircled by a pair'of insulationsleeves 50 having flanges 51 on their lower and upper ends respectively.A coil spring 52 of the expansion type encircles the sleeves 50 and isheld under compression by the flanges 51 thereby actuating the brushesinto contact withthe supporting part 47 of the cathode ring 21. A wire53 leads from each of the rods 46 to a metallic element 54 mounted onthe insulation supports 34 to which a circuit wire 55 is connected.

From the foregoing it will be seen that my invention, which is of ahighly eflicient and simplified nature, obtains all of its intendedobjects and purposes; may be readily assembled and taken apart, and maybe manufactured at comparatively low cost. The fault of irregularitiesof anode and cathode surface, and varying and uneven current conditionsare avoided. Irregular plating is eliminated, and the formation of gas.infected areas around the cathodes is bright deposit.

prevented. The positive inner anode group being moved throu h thesolution in a di-' rection opposite rom the direction of movement of thenegative cathode group supplies the needed metal very rapidly, andpermits the use of much larger current density and amperage thanis'possible by different plating methods. In the case of nickel platingthis machine prevents burning and produces a smooth, "rapid and Forbrass plating rapid plating is possible, the motion being of greatbenefit in maintaining uniformity in the color of this usuallytroublesome alloy solution. In the case of silver, copper and zincplating it expedites the operation and gives a heavy smooth ductiledeposit.

I am aware that the construction and relationship of parts may be variedwithout departure from the nature and principle of the invention. I donot restrict myself unessentiaillly, but-what I claim and desire tosecure by etters Patent is 1. An electroplating machine comprising atank, means forsupporting a series of anodes near the wall ofthetank, ahollow shaft, a support for cathodes attached to said shaft, a shaftextending vertically through the'holloW shaft ,and to a point below thelower end thereof within the tank,

a support for anodes attached to said sec- 'ond shaft, and mechanismfor. rotating-said shafts simultaneously in opposite directions.

2. An electroplating machine comprising a tank, means for supporting aseries of anodes near the wall of the tank, a hollow shaft, a supportforcathodes attached to said shaft, a shaft extending vertically throughthe hollow. shaft and to a point below the lower endthereofwithinthetank,

a support for anodes attached to said sec- 0nd shaft, mechanismfor'rotating said shafts simultaneously in opposite directions,

I and means for conducting electrical energy to said supports.

3. A machine ofthe character described comprising a rotary hollow shaft,a rotar shaft extending through the hollow shaft, a support attached tothe lower end of each of said shafts, a gear wheel attached to each ofsaid shafts, a pinion engaging each of said gear wheels and arranged torotate said shafts simultaneously in opposite directions, a brushcontacting with said second shaft, a device for actuating said brushinto contact with said shaft, and means for conducting electrical 7energy to the support upon said hollow shaft.

4. A machine oft-he character described comprising a tank, an anodesupport. within and near the wall of said tank, a hollow shaft, acathode support attached to the lower end of said 'hollow shaft withinthe tank, brushes bearing against said cathode support, a shaftextending through the hollow shaft, an anode support attached to thelower end of said second shaft, a brush for contacting with said secondshaft,'a spring pressing said second brushinto contact with said'secondshaft, and means for conducting electrical energy tosaid brushes. 7

,5. .A machine of. the character described comprising a vertical tubularshaft, bearings in which said shaft is mounted for rotation, ananti-friction thrust bearing, a gear wheel attached to. said shaftseated upon said anti-friction thrust bearing and ing upon said gearwheel, a shaft extending through said tubular shaft. means insulatingsaid second shaft from said tubular shaft, an insulation element uponsaid second anti-friction bearing .and supporting said gear wheel andthereby said second shaft, means engaging said gear wheels and operativeto rotate them and said shaft. simultaneously in opposite directions, ananode support removably attached to the lower end of said second shaft,and a cathode support removably attached to the lower end of saidtubular shaft.

6. A machine of the character described comprising a vertical tubularshaft, bearings in which said shaft is mounted for rotation, ananti-friction thrust hearing, a gear wheel attached to said shaft seatedupon said anti-friction thrust hearing and supporting said shaft, ananti-friction hearing upon said gear wheel, a shaft extending throughsaid tubular shaft, means insulating said second shaft from said tuhularshaft, an insulation element upon said second anti-friction bearing andsupporting said gear wheel and thereby said second shaft, means engagingsaid gear wheels and operative to rotate themand said shaftsimultaneously in opposite directions, an anode support reinovablyattached to the lower end of said second shaft, a cathode supportremovably attached to the lower end of said tubular sl1aft,,aninsulation device preventing contact of 'said anode support with saidtubular shaft, and means for conducting electrical energy to said secondshaft and to said cathode support.

7. A machine of the character described comprising a rotary shaft, acathode sup port attached to the lower end of said shaft, an electricalcontact brush bearing upon the upper end of said shaft, :1 springactuating said brush into contact with said shaft, and electric circuitconnections for conducting electrical energy to said brush.

8. A machine of the character described comprising a rotary cathodesupport, electric brushes seated upon said support. springs pressingsaid brushes upon said support. and wiring for conducting electricalenergy through said brushes to said support.

9. A machine of the character described comprising a rotary shaft, acathode support attached to said shaft. a rod, an electric brush inconnection with said rod seated upon said cathode support, a springencircling said rod and pressing said brush upon said support, and anelectric wire connected'with said rod.

10. A machine of the character described comprising a rotary shaft, a.support in connection with said shaft, an electric brush contacting withsaid shaft. an arm holding said brush in contact with said shaft, aspring actuating said arm in a' direction to contact with said shaft,and an electric wire leading to said brush.

11; A machine of the character described comprising a rotary shaft, asupport in connection with said shaft, an electric brush contacting withsaid shaft, an arm holding said brush in contact with said shaft, :1spring actuating said arm in a direction to contact with said shaft, anelectric wire leading to said brush, a second shaft, a support inconnection with said second shaft, and mechanism for rotating said twoshafts sin'uiltaneously in opposite directions.

12, A machine of the character described comprising a tubular, shaft, asupport in connection with the lower end of said tubular shaft. anadditional shaft extending through said tubular shaft, means insulatingsaid two shafts from each other. a support attached to the lower end ofsaid additional shaft, mechanism for rotating said two shaftssimultaneously in opposite directions, and means for conductingelectrical energy to said two supports.

HEDLEY J. RICHARDS.

